OKLAHOMA CITY - The second-ranked Columbus State University men's tennis team began the inaugural Division II National Indoor Championship in style on Friday sweeping fifth-ranked Saint Leo 4-0. The tournament is being held at the OKC Tennis Center in Oklahoma City.

The Cougars (5-0) quickly wrapped up its quarterfinal match in less than two hours. CSU will now take on No. 9 Hawaii Pacific on Saturday at noon for the chance to advance to the finals.

"I was super thrilled with our intensity level," said head coach Evan Isaacs. "The guys want to make a statement out here, and they took a step in the right direction this afternoon."

Victories at second and third doubles gave Columbus State the doubles point on Friday. Tommaso Schold and Pietro Martinetti were the first to wrap up their match at third doubles. The Cougar pair took the match 6-4 to secure the first win of the afternoon. By the similar 6-4 score, Matei Avram and Christian Garay were winners in the second Poston. Alvaro Regalado and Javier Cueto Ramos were leading a tight 6-5 match when play was called.

Columbus State didn't waste any time in singles play. After second-ranked Regalado raced out to a 5-0 lead in the opening set, No. 31 Bruno Faletoo was forced to retire to put the Cougars up 2-0. 

Needing just two wins to clich the match, the Cougars quickly went to work. Fabien Asdrubal lost just three games on the afternoon at second singles to record a 6-2, 6-1 win. In his first singles match of the season,  Avram had the walkoff victory. The senior took down Kayne Trustfull 6-0, 6-4 for at sixth singles to send CSU to the semifinals.

Garay and Schold were each up a set when play was called. No. 21 Aurel Ciocanu took the first set over Cueto Ramos 6-4 at fourth singles.

Up Next

A 2019 NCAA national semifinal rematch is on tap as the Cougars and Hawaii Pacific meet in Oklahoma City. CSU defeated HPU 4-1 in Altamonte Springs, Fla. to advance to its second straight national championship match.